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Quantification and Qualification of Silica Sand Extracted from Padma

River Sand
To cite this article: A.S.M.M. Rafi et al 2018 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 438 012037

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4th Intl. Conf. on Structure, Processing and Properties of Materials, SPPM 2018 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 438 (2018) 012037 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/438/1/012037
1234567890‘’“”

Quantification and Qualification of Silica Sand Extracted

from Padma River Sand

A.S.M.M. Rafi, U.F. Tasnim and M.S. Rahman

Department of Glass and Ceramic Engineering, Rajshahi University of Engineering and

Technology, Rajshahi 6204, Bangladesh

Abstract. The sands of Bangladesh’s rivers are potentially and economically important
hosts for silica sand resources. The work is based on extraction of silica sand from sands
of the Padma River and quantification and qualification of extracted silica sand as glass
sand. Characterization tests carried out on sand samples collected from sand bars of the
Padma River in north-western Bangladesh revealed that the silica content of the sand is
76.4%. The extraction of silica sand from head sand is done by physical separation
process. A chemical analysis of extracted sand is done by XRF analysis and the result
shows that extracted sand contains 85.9% silica. The qualification analysis is done by
glass making and characterizing the glass sample.

1. Introduction
Silica sand is one of the most abundant minerals that can be found in diverse ways such as in
quartz crystals, huge forming hills, quartz sand or silica sand, sand stone and so forth. It is
quartz that over time, through the work of water and wind, has been broken down into tiny
granules. Quartz is the most common mineral in the crust of the Earth comprising an estimated
35% of all rocks [1].
Global demand for industrial silica sand is forecast to advance 5.5 percent per year to 291
million metric tons in 2018, with a value of $12.5 billion. Several industries applied silica as a
major component of production. In general, silica sand demand can be segmented into five
major markets: glass, hydraulic fracturing, foundries, building products, and chemicals, as well
as other smaller markets [2].
Padma is one of the major river in Bangladesh. The Padma River in central Bangladesh is
approximately 100 km long and flows in a south-east direction from the confluence of the
Jamuna (or Brahmaputra) and the Ganges to join the upper Meghna River, below which point it
is known as the Meghna. River sands contain high amount of silica which can be used in many
sectors such as glass making sectors, the photovoltaic applications required a high purity,
construction etc. The Ganges-Padma is the major hydrodynamic system that formed one of the
world's largest delta complex covering a major portion of the country and also a greater part of
West Bengal in India [3].
The main objective of this work is extraction of silica sand from Padma river sand. Then the
quantification and qualification analysis is done from the extracted silica sand. That is why, the
objectives of this work are - extracting of silica sand from Padma river sand, quantifying of
extracted silica sand and comparing with raw sand and checking the qualification of extracted
silica sand.

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4th Intl. Conf. on Structure, Processing and Properties of Materials, SPPM 2018 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 438 (2018) 012037 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/438/1/012037
1234567890‘’“”

2. Methodology
The silica sand was collected from the bank of the Padma River at the Talaimari balughat where
the sands were gathered for construction uses. The collection point co-ordination is latitude-
24.359169 and longitude-88.625522.
For physical separation 5 kg raw sand samples were dried in the sun to remove moisture.
Separation of heavy, medium and light minerals was carried out depending on specific gravity
or density of the minerals using laboratory shaking table. After the gravity separation and
drying, the light fractions of Padma River sand was run into the high intensity roll magnetic
separator to separate the magnetic and nonmagnetic fractions. The samples were separated at 60
rpm (magnetic fraction) and 140 rpm (paramagnetic fraction) speed by High Intensity Rolling
Magnetic separator (HIRMS). The nonmagnetic part was separated again by Induced Roller
Magnetic Separation (IRMS) for high precision. The remaining light fraction was separated into
ferromagnetic, paramagnetic and nonmagnetic fractions with an Induced Roll Magnetic
Separator (IRMS) run at 0.3 A (2000 Gauss) and 3.0 A (20 000 Gauss).
The fractions separated by the Induced Roll Magnetic Separator (IRMS) were then processed
by using an electrostatic plate separator (ESPS) operating at 25 kV and a feed rate of 20 rpm to
separate the conductive and nonconductive minerals. The nonconductive sand particles contain
high amount of silica.
Raw sand sample and extracted silica sand sample (nonconductive fraction of ESPS) were
sieved for 15 minutes on Fritsch Vibratory Sieve Shaker using mesh 500μm, 250μm, 125μm
and pan for determining the grain size distribution. Nonconductive particles of 250μm, 125μm
size were mainly used as silica sand. 125μm size nonconductive sand was used for glass
making.
Chemical analysis of Padma River sand and extracted silica sand was determined by X-ray
fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometric method using Rigaku ZSX Primus XRF machine equipped
with an end window 4 KW Rh-anode X-ray tube operated at 40 KV-60 mA for heavy elements
and 30 KV-100 mA for light elements. By comparing the X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
Spectrometric result of raw sand and extracted silica sand, the increased amount of silica
content can be measured.
The qualification analysis of extracted sand as glass sand was analyzed by making the glass
from the sand. Glass samples were made from extracted silica sand and laboratory grade silica
sand (99.99%). For making low melting point glass Na2CO3, K2CO3 and Li2B4O7 were used as
fluxing agent. To make a firm glass object three batches were taken from each of the two
different amount of batches. These batches are shown in table 1.
Table 1. Batch composition
Sample Silica Sodium Potassium Lithium Batch
name SiO2 Carbonate Carbonate Tetra Borate amount(gm.)
(gm.) Na2CO3 (gm.) K2CO3 (gm.) Li2B4O7
(gm.)
(a) 3.1 2.73 1.18 - 7
(b) 3.1 2.73 1.18 - 7
(c) 3.1 2.73 1.18 - 7
(d) 4 - - 4 8
(e) 4 - - 4 8
(f) 2 - - 6 8
Sample (a), (c), (d) and (f) were produced from extracted silica sand and sample (b) and (e)
were produced from laboratory quartz. Moreover sample (f) contains more lithium tetra borate
than the silica. In this work, sample (a) and (b) was melted in the muffle furnace and other
samples were produced by the fusion bead.
The properties of prepared glasses were tested by Micro hardness tester to perform the
Vickers test and measuring glass softening point of glass samples. Then the properties of the

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4th Intl. Conf. on Structure, Processing and Properties of Materials, SPPM 2018 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 438 (2018) 012037 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/438/1/012037
1234567890‘’“”

sample of extracted silica sand was compared with the properties of the sample of laboratory
grade silica sand.

3. Experimental Results and Discussion

3.1 Physical Separation
Physical separation was started with 5 kg raw sand. From gravity separation table the raw sand
was separated into three portion light fraction, medium fraction and heavy fraction. Among
them light fraction occupy 92% of total weight. After that this light fraction was fed into the
high intensity roll magnetic separator, where it was separated into magnetic and nonmagnetic
fraction. Here, magnetic fraction was 65% and nonmagnetic fraction was 35% of the total
charge. It is observed that the silicon oxide (SiO2) content is significantly degraded in the
magnetic fraction and upgraded in nonmagnetic fraction [4]. It is also observed that the silicon
dioxide (SiO2) content in nonmagnetic fraction of Padma River sand is high which can be
potential for glass production. This separation was done to remove iron bearing magnetic
minerals from silica sand.
Further processing was continued with the nonmagnetic fraction. Induced Roller Magnetic
separator separated the nonmagnetic part into paramagnetic fraction and nonmagnetic fraction.
The paramagnetic fraction contains 12% of the total nonmagnetic fraction which was separated
by HIRMS and the rest 88% is nonmagnetic. After this separation, the nonmagnetic part of the
sample is more likely to have higher silica content. The paramagnetic portion (garnet, ilmenite)
was separated from the sample. The ESPS separate the nonmagnetic fraction of IRMS into
conductive part and nonconductive part. The result shows that the conductive fraction contains
22.04% of the total nonmagnetic fraction and the rest 77.96% is nonconductive. This separation
was done to remove feldspar and other aluminosilicates mineral form silica sand. As silica sand
is non-conductor it is easily separated by this process. ESPS separated the fine conductors from
coarse nonconductor rich streams. The nonconductive portion obtained from the ESPS is mostly
the silica.
So by the physical separation process the amount of extracted silica sand is 1108.4 gm. from
5 kg of raw sand of Padma River.

3.2 Characterization Analysis

The raw sand analysis was started with 1.5 kg sand. From this analysis it was found that 72% of
the raw sand is in between 500 to 125µm range.
After that, the grain size analysis of extracted sand was started with 1108.4 gm. of silica
sand. After analyzing the extracted sand it was found that about 98% sand is in between 500 to
125µm range. According to ASTM standard [1] it is clear that the appropriate size range for
silica sand is above 125µm to below 500µm.
The grain size distribution of the silica sand is improved by the physical separation process.
This purification process increases the amount of silica at the standard range about 26.53% [6].
Results of the characterization analysis are listed in table 2.
Table 2. Results of sieve analysis of raw sand and extracted sand.
Size of the sieve Raw sand Extracted sand
(µm) Amount of minerals (%) Amount of minerals (%)
500 17.00 0.49
250 33.67 46.91
125 38.25 51.25
Pan 11.33 1.35

3.3 Elemental Analysis

Raw sand XRF analysis shows that it has relatively high silica content about 76%. So sand can
be processed to improve the silica quality and degraded the impurities content. Sand of 125 µm

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4th Intl. Conf. on Structure, Processing and Properties of Materials, SPPM 2018 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 438 (2018) 012037 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/438/1/012037
1234567890‘’“”

size was taken for the analysis. By the analysis it is determined that the raw sand contains other
than silica 10.62% Al2O3, 3.19% K2O, 2.55% CaO, 3.39% Fe2O3 in an amount that is noticeable
and have other minerals such as MnO, Y2O3, Cr2O3, NiO, ZrO2, BaO, Rb2O etc.
After the physical separation was done. The sand of 125 µm size was taken to do the XRF
analysis. The result shows that the silica content of the extracted sand is 85.85%. Some minerals
like ZnO2, Y2O3 and BaO were vanished by the physical separation process.
By the physical separation process silica content increases about 10%. Other impurities such
as iron oxide, alumina, phosphorus penta oxide, manganese oxide, chromium oxide etc. are
decreased in a large amount. The main impurity which has the most adverse effect on glass
strength and color i.e., iron oxide decreased about 50% of its previous weight. Chemical
leaching process can be involved for further purification. In table 3, the summarization of the
elemental analysis is shown.
Table 3. Compositional analysis result of raw sand and extracted silica sand by XRF analysis.
Name of the materials Raw sand Extracted sand
Elemental amount (%) Elemental amount (%)
Na2O 1.7107 1.8261
MgO 1.2113 0.0775
Al2O3 10.6174 6.8625
SiO2 76.3709 85.8465
P2O5 0.0887 0.02
SO3 0.0081 0.0105
Cl 0.0162 0.0216
K2O 3.1859 2.101
CaO 2.5473 0.9145
TiO2 0.3089 0.0792
Cr2O3 0.3603 0.5566
MnO 0.0566 0.0201
Fe2O3 3.398 1.6167
NiO 0.0082 0.0177
ZnO 0.0039 Nil
Rb2O 0.014 0.0075
SrO 0.0134 0.0122
Y2O3 0.0095 Nil
ZrO2 0.0106 0.0098
BaO 0.0599 Nil

3.4 Qualification Analysis as Glass Sand

3.4.1 Glass Making Analysis. The qualification analysis of extracted sand as glass sand was
analyzed by making the glass from the sand. Low melting glass was tried to be produced. For
glass preparation six attempts were taken. Among these six samples only two samples were
succeed to produce glassy phase sample (a) and sample (b) (from table 1). In fusion bead
ingredients were melted quickly. So, those samples didn’t have enough time to go through
refining process. Samples from fusion bead were not produced in proper glassy phase.
Due to high carbonate content in batch composition of sample (a) there was huge boiling. So
the pouring was not successful and sample (a) was broken. Produced samples are shown in
figure 1.

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4th Intl. Conf. on Structure, Processing and Properties of Materials, SPPM 2018 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 438 (2018) 012037 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/438/1/012037
1234567890‘’“”

(a) (b)
Figure 1. Glass samples produced from batch composition (a) and (b).
Sample (a) is whitish and sample (b) is greenish in color. Both of them have some unmelted
particles trapped inside the glass because of refining process.

3.4.2 Micro Hardness. Micro hardness test was done to the produced sample (a) and sample (b).
Results of these tests are shown in table 4.
Table 4. Results of micro hardness test.

Name of the sample Micro hardness (HV)

Sample (a) 712
Sample (b) 373

3.4.3 Glass Softening Point. After the micro hardness testing both this two sample go through
softening point testing. The softening point of the samples are shown in table 5.
Table 5. Results of softening point test.
Name of the sample Softening point (̊c)
Sample (a) 603
Sample (b) 603

4. Conclusion
As a commodity, silica sand is a low priced product but a primary ingredient for a diversity of
products. On the whole, the consumption of silica sand can be measured as indicator to the
global economy’s trends and circumstances. In our developing country, it is the basic
requirements for economic solvency to find out indigenous silica sources. This study is about
extraction of silica sand from Padma river sand and analyze its’ qualification. Following
conclusions are made from this study.
• 98% silica sand is in the 125 to 500 μm size range.
• The XRF analysis result revealed that the silica sand content in the extracted sand is
about 86%.
• Further purification should be done by chemical leaching to produce glass sand.

5. References
[1] IsiakaOlajideOdewale, Characteriztion of Unwana Beach Silica Sand and Its Industrial
Applications, International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries, IJSID,
2013, 3(1), 93-100.
[2] Mohammad Mansour, Develop A Strategic Forecast of Silica Sand Based on Supply
Chain Decomposition, International Journal of Engineering (IJE), Volume (9): Issue
(1): 2015, 9-27.
[3] http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Padma_River
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padma_River

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4th Intl. Conf. on Structure, Processing and Properties of Materials, SPPM 2018 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Materials Science and Engineering 438 (2018) 012037 doi:10.1088/1757-899X/438/1/012037
1234567890‘’“”

[4] M. A. Rahman, Valuable heavy minerals from the Brahmaputra River sands of Northern
Bangladesh, Applied Earth Science, Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and
Metallurgy: Section B, Volume 125, 2016- Issue 3: Mineral Sands, 174-188.
[6] http://engb.eriez.com/resources/content/engb/documents/pdfs/Sand_Processing
Techpaper.pdf

Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful for a research grant in the course of this investigation to the authority of
RUET as well as Department of Glass and Ceramic Engineering, Rajshahi University of
Engineering and Technology (RUET), Rajshahi-6204, Bangladesh.
The help of Institute of Mining, Mineralogy & Metallurgy (IMMM), Bangladesh Council of
Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR), Joypurhat related to the thesis work were greatly
acknowledged.